Five Malaysian nationals were detained when Australian Border Force officers smashed an illegal worker exploitation syndicate running out of home in suburban Adelaide.

Mitch Mott

The AdvertiserDecember 9, 20183:37pm

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March 22nd 2018

a year ago

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A worker exploitation syndicate operating out of an Adelaide western suburbs home has been dismantled by Australian Border Force officers

Five Malaysian nationals were detained at a home in Torrensville during the raid on Monday.

All five have now being held in an immigration facility pending their removal from Australia.

The workers were believed to have been involved in the agricultural industry.

Two of the people detained are believed to have been involved in the management of a worker exploitation syndicate with links to New South Wales.

On the same day, ABF officers raided a property in Euston, NSW, and detained another three Malaysian nationals.

ABF commander James Copeman said the raids were part of Operation Battenrun, an ongoing task force targeting illegal foreign workers and organised migration fraud.

Australian Border Force images of a raid at a Torrensville property where five Malaysian nationals were detained.Source:Supplied

An ABF officer examines documents during the raid.Source:Supplied

“Whether it’s in our capital cities or regional towns, illegal work and foreign worker exploitation is a blight on Australia, and the ABF is committed to identifying and taking action against those organising it,” Mr Copeman said.

“Illegal workers are extremely vulnerable and are often underpaid and poorly treated. Those facilitating their employment are making significant profits at their expense, and also disadvantage local businesses who do the right thing by paying and treating their workers properly.

“Protecting the integrity of the migration system is an operational priority for the ABF, and we regularly conduct proactive operations like this as well as compliance activities, including through Taskforce Cadena,” Mr Copeman said.